PSC plans hearings on rate increase bid

THE BALTIMORE SUN

Maryland's Public Service Commission has set two public hearings in August regarding a rate increase requested by Potomac Edison in April.

Members of the PSC will be collecting comments at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15 at South Hagerstown High and at 1101 S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown, and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at Winchester Hall, 12 E. Church St. in Frederick.

If approved, the new rate would incorporate a 98-cent surcharge Potomac Edison requested in March to comply with the Clean Air Act. The cost to an average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity would increase by $8.63 a month.

Commission members will also hear arguments from attorneys for both sides at 10 a.m. Aug. 22, Aug. 30, Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and Sept. 22 in their offices at St. Paul Center in Baltimore, said commission spokesman Frank Fulton Jr.

Citizens will be able to attend, but not participate in, these Baltimore meetings, Mr. Fulton said. The commission expects to make a decision by mid-winter, he said.

Potomac Edison serves about 187,000 Maryland customers, with 9,400 in western Carroll County.